Ring game



Jan. 28, D, FRANK RING GAME Filed Feb. 14, 1962 m T .N E V W United States Patent Ofifice 3,119,619. Patented Jan. 28, 1954 3,119,619 RING GAME Dean Frank, Box 194, Burke, S. Dali. Filed Feb. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 173,156 1 Qiairn. (Cl. 273-494) This invention relates generally to games of skill, and more specifically to a game involving the throwing of circular hoops over a specially designed post.

There are many games involving the use of circular hoops, and all of these games have some specific novel aspects which make them entertaining and different from one another, and it is my intention to provide yet another hoop game which is particularly enjoyable and entertaining to play, and wherein the post is designed to register different scores.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a hoop game wherein a number of colored hoops are used in conjunction with an upstanding post. The post is provided with an outwardly projecting wing to enable a variable scoring to be achieved in accordance with rules to be outlined as the specification proceeds.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a hoop game of the above class wherein the scoring post subsequently termed a calculator is located in the ground such that it cannot rotate during play.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a hoop game of the above class which is rugged and unique in construction, and provides the opportunity of challenge and skill for competitive entertainment both outdoors and indoors.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the game calculator constructed according to a preferred embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view shown partially broken away of a typical hoop used in the play of the game.

FIG. 3 is a view of three sets of hoops, each set being identified by a different color.

FIG. 4 is a perspective and exploded view of the calculator post showing how the calculator may be mounted in a floor stand for indoor use.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the numeral 5 represents an elongated cylindrical post which terminates at its lower end with a conically formed point 6 for engaging into the ground 7. The post is preferably about forty-eight inches long and is provided with a radially extending wing 8 formed of the same material and sloping slightly upwards relative to the ground. The wing is welded at 9 to the post and extends outwardly about fifteen inches, and is welded to the post about eight inches from the top end 10 thereof. A flat radially extending flange 11 is secured to the lower end of the post for the purpose of preventing rotation of the post after insertion into the ground. The lower edge 12 of the flange is tapered downwardly and terminates adjacent the conical point 6 so as to simplify insertion into the ground.

Circular hoops 13 are formed of one-quarter inch iron rod into a circle twelve inches in diameter. Three pairs of hoops 14, 15, and 16 are formed identical in size and are suitably colored to differentiate each pair from the other. The method of coloring is a matter of choice, but I prefer to coat the rings in a colored plastic such as indicated in FIG. 2, at 17, such procedure rendering the loops less subject to damage.

The calculator may be used indoors by utilizing a floor stand 18 which comprises a cylindrical llat base 19 having a hollow sleeve 24} projecting vertically from the center of one side of the base. A slot 21 is formed through the sleeve so as to receive the flange 11 therethrough when the lower end of the cylindrical post is lowered into the sleeve.

In the play of the game, the calculator is first mounted in position either in the ground or in the floor stand 18. A line is marked fifteen feet from the calculator such that the wing 8 is disposed substantially parallel with the line with a slight bias towards the said line. The players must stand behind this line, and the object of the game is to throw the hoops or rings so as to engage the calculator in any one of three locations. "If the hoop engages over the top end It} as indicated at 13-, a score of three points is awarded the player. If the hoop is engaged over the wing 3 as indicated at 13", a score of five points is awarded the player. In case of a tie game each player or the one who made the last points for his team gets the chance to Loop The Hoop to the wing for an extra 5 points until a winner is declared by one missing his throw. If the hoop passes completely over the wing and engages with the ground as indicated at 13", a total of twenty-four points is awarded the player. The first person or team to reach a total of twenty-four points wins the game, it being understood that the opposing players throw in an alternate manner. If more than one player should happen to make the maximum score of twenty-four points in his first throw, then the winner is determined by the players involved aiming to ring the top end 10, the first person to miss such an objective being the loser of the game.

Having described the invention in a preferred form, it will be appreciated that some modifications may be made to the precise configuration, and in the area of construction, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, as defined by the following claim.

I claim:

A hoop game comprising, in combination, a plurality of circular hoops and a calculator, said calculator comprising a cylindrical post secured to project vertically above the ground, a wing carried by said post downwardly from the upper end thereof, said wing projecting radially outwardly and inclined upwardly toward said upper end of said post, the opposite lower end of said post having a point, and a radially outwardly projecting flange carried by said lower end of said post, said flange being of generally trapezoidal configuration having an inwardly and downwardly tapering lower surface terminating adj acent said point for insertion into the ground, a hollow sleeve for receiving the lower end of said post, a slot formed through said sleeve to receive said flange, and a circular base secured to the lower end of said sleeve to support said sleeve upon the ground.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,230,503 Miller June 19, 1917 1,480,563 Morgan Ian. 15, 1924 2,073,324 Stockton Mar. 9, 1937 2,365,513 Bartle et a1. Dec. 19, 1944 2,666,642 Ward Ian. 19, 1954 2,877,828 Barnette Mar. 17, 1959 

